Introducing a new urban design competition targeting visions for the future of Sai Wan District

未來的西環，有甚麼還未來的？

全新都市規劃設計大賞 結集西環未來視野

HONG KONG, 1 NOV 2013: Sai Wan (西環) is one of the most vibrant districts in Hong Kong, and it is in the midst of intense change. Beautiful Sai Wan and XXX Gallery are teaming up to sponsor a competition for local and international urban designers / urban design teams to share their 20-year vision for the future of Sai Wan. The objective of this competition is to bring attention to this unique moment in Sai Wan’s history, spark further public discussion into urban planning choices being made today, and advocate for responsible and sustainable development in the future. Successful submissions shall focus largely on holistic urban design / masterplanning decisions for the district.

One of Hong Kong Island’s original four districts, Sai Wan straddles the past and the future. Sai Wan has retained a great deal of its heritage over the last century, even as the rest of Hong Kong has transformed greatly. Today, the mixed-use neighbourhood is home to a diverse community of residential, commercial, and HK University neighbours, on a mixed-terrain, harbourside urban grid anchored by primary thoroughfares Queens Road West, Des Voeux Road West, Hill Road, and Kennedy Town Praya.

All of this may soon change. The intense development of Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun districts – and the ensuing increasing rents – has pushed more and more residents and small businesses westward toward Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town. The recent opening of the Sai Ying Pun escalator, and the June 2014 extension of the MTR West Island Line shall have a profound impact on the fabric of Sai Wan, for better or worse.

What urban design choices must be made today in order to achieve that vision?

Who wins, who loses?

Beautiful Sai Wan 與 XXX Gallery 有以下提問：

－閣下對西環未來20年的視野是怎樣的？

－要達致那個願景，就都市設計來說，有甚麼決定是刻不容緩的？

－誰是勝利者、誰是失敗者？

All submissions will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Heritage preservation

Sustainable economic development

Environmental sustainability

Design creativity and innovation

Social / cultural contribution

Implementation feasibility

所有設計均以下列標準估：

－古蹟保育

－經濟發展的可持續性

－環境的可持續性的

－設計的創意及創新性

－對社區及文化的貢獻度

－執行性

A neighbourhood questionnaire is being organized in November 2013 to gather input from current Sai Wan residents, and the results of this consultation shall be summarized as a key consideration for all interested participants.

大會正準備一份社區問卷，並於本年11月發出，期望收集現時西環住客的意見。

Winning submissions shall be shared with the community in a road show format in early 2014, culminating in a gala presentation hosted by XXX Gallery. Beautiful Sai Wan shall then present the winning submission to government representatives with an aim to collaboratively advocate for continued responsible and sustainable development.